Published on: 2026-08-21
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On August 21, the grand opening of the final of the “Professionals” championship for industrial competencies took place in Kaluga. The organizer is the Ministry of Education with the support of the Government, the federal operator is the Institute for the Development of Professional Education, the regional organizer is the Kaluga region.
Greeting to participants was sent by the Chairman of the Government Mikhail Mishustin.
“Today, the country needs qualified specialists who are capable of solving complex production tasks, using modern tools, and creating innovations. The government gives priority to the development of the professional education system, strengthening the interaction between educational institutions and employers, helping young people choose in-demand specialties and build successful careers. It is precisely such events as the ‘Professionals’ championship that open up broad opportunities for youth, allowing them to demonstrate their skills and begin their working careers in leading companies,” emphasized Mikhail Mishustin.
The competitions will be held in 14 disciplines. College and technical school students will participate in the main category, young specialists from industrial enterprises in the industrial category, and representatives of friendly countries in the international category.
“The ‘Professionals’ Championship is one of the brightest stars in the constellation of professional skills championship movements under the national project ‘Youth and Children.’ These competitions help unlock participants’ potential and demonstrate that they are in demand by leading enterprises of the country. The final of the ‘Professionals’ Championship in industrial competencies will bring together 14 thousand talented young men and women from all over Russia and 30 friendly countries in Kaluga. The participants will compete in 14 advanced competencies: from industrial robotics and space systems engineering to mechatronics and optoelectronics. I wish the finalists to feel a healthy excitement, discover new opportunities, and find like-minded people,” emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.
The final in Kaluga will bring together contestants, mentor experts, representatives of partner companies, and participants of the business, exhibition, and career guidance programs.
“The best of the best advance to the finals of the ‘Professionals’ championship, and each contestant rightfully bears the title of a winner, having proven a high level of skill. The attention to the championship from leading enterprises of the country is immense. Employers themselves prepare competition tasks for the participants and see the finalists as their future employees. The number of offers for internships and employment grows year by year. The skills demonstrated by the participants are in demand by Russian industry. The ‘Professionals’ movement forms the personnel vanguard of our country’s technological development,” noted Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov.
The competitive program starts on August 22 and will take place at the Federal Professional Education Technopark. The solemn award ceremony for the winners and prize-winners will be held on August 26.
Deputy Minister of Education Vladimir Zhelonkin took part in the solemn opening ceremony of the finals of the ‘Professionals’ championship in industrial competencies. He emphasized that today the country needs young, initiative, qualified specialists.
“You are to develop modern manufacturing, create new solutions, and strengthen Russia’s technological leadership. I wish you to be open to new experiences. Remember: the finals of the ‘Professionals’ championship is an opportunity to find your place in the profession, to make yourself known to leading employers, and to get a real career start,” he addressed the contestants.
Vladimir Zhelonkin also thanked the government of the Kaluga region for supporting the “Professionals” movement and expressed gratitude to the expert mentors.
A greeting to the competition participants was sent by the governor of the Kaluga region, Vladislav Shapsha.
“Our region was not chosen by chance as the venue for these prestigious industrial competency competitions. We understand that the labor market is changing rapidly. We must adapt the education system to meet the demands of employers. Over five years, we have increased the number of government-funded places in colleges by 20%, and we are opening new specialties needed by the region’s economy. The employment rate of our graduates is one of the best in the country. I am confident that the championship movement will continue to develop and become even more attractive to young people. Participation in such an event is a good incentive not only to show what you are capable of but also to demonstrate to your peers the value and demand of the chosen specialty,” he noted.
The business program of the championship final will be held in the format of the Forum of Secondary Vocational Education (SVE) and will be dedicated to the topic “Window of Opportunity: Business and SVE.” Discussions will take place in four thematic blocks: “Cultivating the Working Person,” “Personnel and Education,” “Technology and Innovation,” “Global Cooperation.”
In addition to the competitive part and the business program, a career guidance program for schoolchildren will be organized at the site of the Federal Vocational Education Technopark, including master classes from leading specialists, meetings with experts, and interactive sessions to help young people decide on their future profession. Visitors to the final will also be able to visit an exhibition featuring partner companies’ booths with the latest industrial developments.
The winners and prize-winners of the final, as well as their mentors, will receive Government-established awards ranging from 100 thousand to 300 thousand rubles depending on their placement. More than 10 thousand companies and enterprises support participants of the “Professionals” movement. This year, they have already offered over 50 thousand internships and job vacancies to the contestants.
The “Professionals” movement is aimed at supporting talented youth, strengthening the personnel potential, and ensuring Russia’s technological leadership. It is organized with the support of the Ministry of Education and is implemented within the framework of the federal project “Professionalism” of the national project “Youth and Children.” The federal operator is the Institute for the Development of Vocational Education.
The “Professionals” Championship is the largest event in the system of secondary vocational education. The list of competencies is formed in accordance with the demands of the real economic sector. In 2026, the championship final will be held in three cities: Nizhny Novgorod, Kaluga, and Saint Petersburg.
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